General Information
Endometriosis is a painful yet puzzling disorder that affects women involving tissue that normally lines the inside of your uterus — the endometrium — grows outside your uterus.
The name comes from the word “endometrium” which is the tissue that lines the inside of the uterus.Each month, or cycle, this tissue builds up and sheds, causing the normal bleeding experienced during the period. With endometriosis, tissue like this is found outside of the uterus in other areas of the body, such as the abdomen, intestines, bladder, and other places. In these other locations, the tissue develops into what are called “growths” or “implants.”
Like the lining of the uterus, endometriosis growths usually respond to the hormones of the menstrual cycle. They can build up tissue and shed each cycle causing bleeding.
Facts about endometriosis
• Endometriosis can affect women of any reproductive age or even after menopause regardless of caste, creed, religion, origin.
• Period pain isn’t normal.
• Endometriosis is not. completely cured by surgery. The underlying environment throughout the whole body must be addressed in order for the woman’s health to be improved along with Nutrition.
• Diet and lifestyle can make a difference.
• Many other health conditions are found at higher rates in woman with endo: irritable bowel syndrome, allergies, migraines, intestinal dysbiosis, and higher risk of cardiac arrest.
Endometriosis is not cured by pregnancy, but symptoms of endometriosis can be reduced or absent because women do not have periods during pregnancy. This improvement in symptoms may be because of hormone changes in pregnancy. However, some women continue to experience pain symptoms through their pregnancy.
Some women do have relief of symptoms during or after pregnancy, but others have worsening. A woman should never be pressurized for having a baby as a “Treatment” for medical condition.
Affects 1 in 10 women, more than 10 lakh cases per year in India(Source- Endometriosis Society of India)
Do you have endometriosis?
Radhika's Inspiring Journey - Conquering Endometriosis
Here are some common issues people women and teens with endometriosis suffer from :
Endometriosis is a painful yet puzzling disorder that affects women involving tissue that normally lines the inside of your uterus — the endometrium — grows outside your uterus.
The name comes from the word “endometrium” which is the tissue that lines the inside of the uterus.Each month, or cycle, this tissue builds up and sheds, causing the normal bleeding experienced during the period. With endometriosis, tissue like this is found outside of the uterus in other areas of the body, such as the abdomen, intestines, bladder, and other places. In these other locations, the tissue develops into what are called “growths” or “implants.”
Like the lining of the uterus, endometriosis growths usually respond to the hormones of the menstrual cycle. They can build up tissue and shed each cycle causing bleeding.
• Pain in lower abdomen before and during periods (usually worse than “normal” menstrual cramps)
• Pain during or after sexual activity.
• Painful urination/bowel movements during periods.
• Fatigue.
• Infertility.
• Heavy bleeding.
• Other gastrointestinal upsets such as diarrhea, constipation,nausea.
Causes
Although the exact cause of endometriosis is not certain, possible reasons could be-
A problem with the immune system may make the body unable to recognize and destroy endometrial-like tissue that's growing outside the uterus.
After a surgery, such as a hysterectomy or C-section, endometrial cells may attach to a surgical incision.
The blood vessels or tissue fluid (lymphatic) system may transport endometrial cells to other parts of the body.
Treatment
Genes could also play a role. If your mom or sister has endometriosis, you’re more likely to get it. Research shows that it tends to get worse from one generation to the next.
Some women with endometriosis also have immune system disorders.
Over-the-counter pain relievers. prescription drugs may be required.
Product that targets endometriosis and fibromyalgia pain, is applied topically on the area of pain.
Complementary endomtriosis treatment options may include traditional Chinese medicine, nutritional approaches, homeopathy, allergy management, and immune therapy.
Hormonal treatment aims to stop ovulation for as long as possible and may include: oral contraceptives, progesterone drugs, a testosterone derivative(danazol), and GnRH agonists (gonadotropin-releasing hormone drugs). Side effects may be a problem for some women.
Conservative surgery seeks to remove or destroy the growths, relieve pain,and may allow pregnancy to occur in some cases. Conservative surgery can involve laparoscopy (outpatient surgery in which the surgeon can view the inside of the abdomen through a tiny lighted tube that is inserted through one or more tiny abdominal incisions; also referred to as“belly-button”surgery or laparotomy (more extensive procedure, full incision, longer recovery period). Hormonal therapy may be prescribed along with conservative surgery. Radical surgery, which may be necessary in severe cases, involves a hysterectomy, removal of all growths, and removal of ovaries.
FAQS
Endometriosis affects women and girls during their reproductive age.
If menstrual cramps affects the normal functioning and keeps you away from participating in daily life activities it is not normal. Some women never experience menstrual cramps. Others have only mild, occasional pain. If your cramps are severe and/or frequent, it is a sign of a problem. And it’s always good to consult a specialist.
During menstrual period, the uterus contracts to help expel its lining. Hormone like substances (prostaglandins) involved in pain and inflammation trigger the uterine muscle contractions. Higher levels of prostaglandins are associated with more severe menstrual cramps.
No. Endometriosis does not seem to be a life-threatening illness. However, if ignored and left untreated, endo can lead to increased pain, possible infertility, and serious disability. That is why it is so important for teenagers to listen to their bodies,learn to understand the signals, and take charge of their personal health. By taking action now, teens can prevent serious endometriosis problems in the future.
• Never giving birth
• Starting period at an early age
• Going through menopause at an older age
• Short menstrual cycles — for instance, less than 27 days
• Heavy menstrual periods that last longer than seven days
• Having higher levels of estrogen in your body or a greater lifetime exposure to estrogen your body produces
• Low body mass index
• Genetic factor- One or more relatives (mother, aunt or sister) with endometriosis
• Any medical condition that prevents the normal passage of menstrual flow out of the body
• Reproductive tract abnormalities
There are three main types of endometriosis, based on where it is:
• Superficial peritoneal lesion- This is the most common kind. Having lesions on peritoneum, a thin film that lines the pelvic cavity
• Endometrioma (ovarian lesion)– These dark, fluid-filled cysts, also called chocolate cysts, form deep in your ovaries. They don’t respond well to treatment and can damage healthy tissue.
• Deeply infiltrating endometriosis– This type grows under peritoneum and can involve organs near uterus, such as your bowels or bladder. About 1% to 5% of women with endometriosis have it
• Stage I (minimal)- Having few small lesions but no scar tissue.
• Stage II (mild)- There are more lesions but no scar tissue. Less than 2 inches of the abdomen are involved.
• Stage III (moderate)–The lesions may be deep and scar tissue around ovaries or Fallopian tubes.
• Stage IV (severe)– There are many lesions and maybe large cysts in ovaries, may have scar tissue around the ovaries and Fallopian tubes or between the uterus and the lower part of the intestines.
Note – The stages don’t take pain or symptoms into account. For example, stage I endometriosis can cause severe pain, buta woman who has stage IV could have no symptoms at all.
• Genes could also play a role. If your mom or sister has endometriosis, you’re more likely to get it. Research shows that it tends to get worse from one generation to the next.
• Some women with endometriosis also have immune system disorders
Like many medical conditions, what we eat can affect how severe the condition can be. In the case of endometriosis, diet plays a huge role in how much the condition can affect the quality of your life.
Some food and drinks aggravate the condition, while some make it a lot more bearable to deal with. If you’re living with endometriosis, your doctor will probably advise you to stay away from things like caffeine, alcohol, trans-fat, gluten, dairy and red meat.
Instead, the diet should contain foods high in fibre, omega-3 acids, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. It is advised that you stick to food that does not cause inflammation or raise estrogen levels should be prioritized.
The best diagnostic technique for the diagnosis of both endometriomas and deep-infiltrating endometriosis (depending on the technician’s experience) is transvaginal ultrasound. Laparoscopy must only be used for diagnosis in very specific cases. An abdominal–pelvic MRI can be used to complete a diagnosis of the extent of deep-infiltrating endometriosis when nodules are observed in the highest portion of the pelvis or outside it.
Endometriosis is a benign disease which does not cause cancer. But can have fibroids which are non cancerous tumour.
No, not in most cases. It is estimated that only 30%–40% of women with endometriosis encounter difficulties when trying to get pregnant and might have to turn to assisted reproductive techniques. Therefore, patients with endometriosis who do not wish to fall pregnant should discuss the most suitable contraceptive option with their gynaecologist.
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